Intoxicated Florida Man Abandons Daughter During Hurricane Irma

Just recently, Florida was struck by the powerful Hurricane Irma. Thankfully for many, the storm wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been. Such natural disasters bring out the best and the worst in people. Unfortunately, drinking alcohol during a natural disaster is generally a bad idea. It could result in drowning or electrocution.

For one Florida man, it seems his drunken exploits caused him to forget his 19-month-old daughter. WCTV reports that 36-year-old Angelo Mitchell has been charged with child cruelty for allegedly abandoning his 19-month-old daughter outside during the storm.

The arrest report explains that the girl’s mother called police to the family’s home near 11th Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive in Jasper. The woman notified investigators that the defendant took the toddler and left in his car around 11 o’clock the previous night.

When Mitchell returned home approximately two hours later, it is alleged that the young girl was nowhere to be found. The arrest report suggests that Mitchell told the mother that he left the toddler at home and never had her.

Deputies quickly went to work hunting for the young girl. Despite using a tracking dog, the girl was nowhere to be found. When questioned by investigators, the man claimed his daughter was safe, was never in his care and must have been with a family friend. The defendant admitted to having several drinks that day. Authorities also smelled alcohol on the man.

A short time later, a pedestrian discovered the young girl lying in the yard roughly 400 to 500 yards from her home. Reports and witness testimony suggests the girl was covered in scratches and bug bites. She had suffered the whole night, while exposed to the wind and rain. When discovered, the girl’s skin was purple in color.

The girl was taken to Shands Hospital in Gainesville. She was released from the hospital on Tuesday afternoon and seems to be doing well. Mitchell previously pleaded guilty to felony battery in 2011. At that time, he was accused of violating an order of protection and dragging a woman by her hair.

At this point in time, Mitchell remains behind bars at the Hamilton County Jail. We sincerely hope that Mitchell is never able to enjoy another sip a beer, wine or liquor in the future.